Boat tours

Port Open Days

Join us for a closer look at the Port of Melbourne

Port Open Day tours are fun, family-friendly events and the best way to see Australia’s busiest port, right on the city’s doorstep.

Featuring a guided commentary from port staff, you’ll see Australia’s busiest port from a whole new angle.

What port facilities will I see?

November and April tours depart from Victoria Harbour in Docklands, and include Victoria Dock and Appleton Dock, the port’s more historic facilities, before visiting the container terminals at Swanson Dock.

Our February tours depart from Gem Pier in Williamstown, and include a visit to Melbourne’s new container terminal and automotive trade facilities at Webb Dock. Gem Pier tours also transit through the waters of Hobsons Bay, past the mouth of the Yarra River and the crude oil terminal at Point Gellibrand.

PLEASE NOTE: While every effort will be made to adhere to advertised tour routes, these may be changed without notice due to vessel traffic considerations on a given tour day.

When and where do Port Open Day tours depart?

Port Open Day boat tours run on Sundays during the warmer months. All tours are round-trips, leaving from Gem Pier in Williamstown and Victoria Harbour in Docklands, as follows:

Tour date

Departure point

Tour destination
(approx.)

Departure times

26 November 2017

Victoria Harbour

40 minutes

10 am; 11 am; 12 pm; 1 pm; 2 pm;

25 February 2018

Gem pier

40 minutes

11 am; 12 pm; 1 pm; 2 pm;

29 April 2018

Victoria Harbour

40 minutes

10 am; 11 am; 12 pm; 1 pm; 2 pm;

How much do tours cost?

There is a $5.50 (includes GST) charge per passenger for all tours, plus a $1.20 booking fee per ticket.

How do I book?

Bookings open 2 -3 weeks prior to each tour day, and we are unable to take advance bookings ahead of the dates listed below.

Bookings for 2017-18 Port Open Day tours will be open as follows:

Tour date

Bookings open

26 November 2017

9:00am Wednesday, 8 November 2017

25 February 2018

9:00am Wednesday, 7 February 2018

29 April 2018

9:00am Wednesday, 4 April 2018

If you’d like to join a Port Open Day boat tour, you can book through our online booking form, once bookings are open.

Once you’ve entered your passenger and payment information, you will receive an email confirmation.

FAQ’s

Can I pay on the day?

Unfortunately we cannot accept payment on the day of your tour. All bookings require pre-payment via credit card, through the secure payment portal attached to our online booking form.

Can I get a refund if I can’t make it to a tour?

Except in circumstances where a tour is cancelled by Port of Melbourne, all tours are non-refundable. In the unlikely event that Port of Melbourne cancels a tour, a full refund (excluding booking fee) will be returned to your nominated credit card.

Can I book over the phone?

Unfortunately we cannot process bookings and payment over the phone. If you would like to join a tour, please use our online booking form, once bookings are open.

Can I bring children?

Yes, children are welcome to join a Port Open Day tour, as long as they are supervised by an adult. Kids love looking at the cranes and the tug boats, so definitely bring them along! The tour boat can accommodate prams and pushers too.

Port Open Days

Join us for a closer look at the Port of Melbourne

Port Open Day tours are fun, family-friendly events and the best way to see Australia’s busiest port, right on the city’s doorstep.

Featuring a guided commentary from port staff, you’ll see Australia’s busiest port from a whole new angle.

What port facilities will I see?

November and April tours depart from Victoria Harbour in Docklands, and include Victoria Dock and Appleton Dock, the port’s more historic facilities, before visiting the container terminals at Swanson Dock.

Our February tours depart from Gem Pier in Williamstown, and include a visit to Melbourne’s new container terminal and automotive trade facilities at Webb Dock. Gem Pier tours also transit through the waters of Hobsons Bay, past the mouth of the Yarra River and the crude oil terminal at Point Gellibrand.

PLEASE NOTE: While every effort will be made to adhere to advertised tour routes, these may be changed without notice due to vessel traffic considerations on a given tour day.

When and where do Port Open Day tours depart?

Port Open Day boat tours run on Sundays during the warmer months. All tours are round-trips, leaving from Gem Pier in Williamstown and Victoria Harbour in Docklands, as follows:

Tour date

Departure point

Tour destination
(approx.)

Departure times

26 November 2017

Victoria Harbour

40 minutes

10 am; 11 am; 12 pm; 1 pm; 2 pm;

25 February 2018

Gem pier

40 minutes

11 am; 12 pm; 1 pm; 2 pm;

29 April 2018

Victoria Harbour

40 minutes

10 am; 11 am; 12 pm; 1 pm; 2 pm;

How much do tours cost?

There is a $5.50 (includes GST) charge per passenger for all tours, plus a $1.20 booking fee per ticket.

How do I book?

Bookings open 2 -3 weeks prior to each tour day, and we are unable to take advance bookings ahead of the dates listed below.

Bookings for 2017-18 Port Open Day tours will be open as follows:

Tour date

Bookings open

26 November 2017

9:00am Wednesday, 8 November 2017

25 February 2018

9:00am Wednesday, 7 February 2018

29 April 2018

9:00am Wednesday, 4 April 2018

If you’d like to join a Port Open Day boat tour, you can book through our online booking form, once bookings are open.

Once you’ve entered your passenger and payment information, you will receive an email confirmation.

FAQ’s

Can I pay on the day?

Unfortunately we cannot accept payment on the day of your tour. All bookings require pre-payment via credit card, through the secure payment portal attached to our online booking form.

Can I get a refund if I can’t make it to a tour?

Except in circumstances where a tour is cancelled by Port of Melbourne, all tours are non-refundable. In the unlikely event that Port of Melbourne cancels a tour, a full refund (excluding booking fee) will be returned to your nominated credit card.

Can I book over the phone?

Unfortunately we cannot process bookings and payment over the phone. If you would like to join a tour, please use our online booking form, once bookings are open.

Can I bring children?

Yes, children are welcome to join a Port Open Day tour, as long as they are supervised by an adult. Kids love looking at the cranes and the tug boats, so definitely bring them along! The tour boat can accommodate prams and pushers too.